Pottsville planning, zoning passes Blocker Estate closurePOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing and voted to close a road during Monday’s regular meeting. In March, Karen Martin asked the commission to close Blocker Estate on Sweeden Road. Previously a road ran through the estate. Since then, the property was purchased with the intent to build. A public hearing was conducted regarding the matter on Monday which was passed. In other business, the final p...

Students set to display homeless sheltersFive teams of high school students will put homeless shelters they constructed on display at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville on April 7 as part of a symposium concluding the inaugural Students Design for Change program. The shelters will be available for public viewing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Chambers Cafeteria parking lot at 204 West O Street in Russellville. In case of rain, the shelters will be located in the W.O. Young Building...

Meet and Greet: School district hosting reception for new staffNew members of the Russellville School District's coaching and JROTC staffs, along with incoming Superintendent Dr. Mark Gotcher, are scheduled to be introduced to the public at a Wednesday evening event. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Russellville High School cafeteria. Russellville School Board President Chris Cloud said there will be a few brief speeches by the recently-hired staff members. The event will give the community and...

Candidate Q&A: Phyllis CarruthEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? My family has lived in Russellville since 1976. I started PJ’s Corner in 1978, which continues to operate to this day. My passion for being involved with city government reached its height at the time my husband, Phil, was mayor. These e...

Candidate Q&A: Chuck FrankhouseEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I feel I have much to offer to our city government; by providing strong, vocal leadership that will lead to sound decisions for the future of Russellville. • I am progressive, pro-growth and pro-business. • I support community involvemen...

Candidate Q&A: Andrew BarrettEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I've lived in many places in my life, but when I moved to Russellville three years ago, my daughter and I knew we had found our home. I've attended or watched all of the city council meetings since we landed here, and I feel like the cit...

Students set to display homeless sheltersFive teams of high school students will put homeless shelters they constructed on display at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville on April 7 as part of a symposium concluding the inaugural Students Design for Change program. The shelters will be available for public viewing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Chambers Cafeteria parking lot at 204 West O Street in Russellville. In case of rain, the shelters will be located in the W.O. Young Building...

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BY SAM STRASNER
FOR THE COURIERThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Arkansas Gives event is ThursdayLocal nonprofits are gearing up and finalizing the last ideas for the big day on Thursday — Arkansas Gives. Arkansas Gives, formed from the Arkansas Community Foundation, is a giving or donating event for nonprofits across the state that takes place for 12 hours on one day a year. The idea of the event is for nonprofits across Arkansas to raise money for their cause. Like last year, the Community Foundation is providing a $400,000 bonus pool t...

Clarksville SB hires assistant superintendentCLARKSVILLE — The Clarksville School Board hired a new assistant superintendent, approved personnel changes and approved bids for electronics Friday during their monthly meeting. Paul Dean was hired as the new assistant superintendent of schools effective July 1. Dean will replace Toby Cook, who the school board accepted the resignation of Friday. Cook has been with the school district for 17 years. The board also accepted the resignation of N...

ATU English professor Hudson has folklore book publishedArkansas Tech University English professor Mindy Campbell Hudson recently published a book, “The Headless Horseman of Booger Holler and Other Dover Tales.” Tea Tree Publishing approached Hudson about the book about three years ago. Russellville tales are sprinkled into the folklore book, but most of the stories are about Dover, North of Dover and Treat. The book includes Dover tales, urban legends, personal legends, local naming legends, local...

ObituariesCharles Poynter Charles "C.K" Kirksey Poynter, age 62, of Russellville departed us on Thursday, March 30, 2017. He was born Aug. 10, 1954 in Mulberry to C.L. "Charlie" and Bette Wells Poynter. Charles was known to his friends as C.K. or Kirk. Kirk was a loving father and grandfather. Kirk will always be remembered by his quick wit and complete honesty with those who knew him best. He was an investment banker but he was above all else, a friend...

Sheriff's Beatâ ˘ A Russellville man reported to Pope County Sheriff's Deputy Gerrad Huffman that someone allegedly broke into a house he was remodeling in Hector and stole about $600 worth of miscellaneous tools in three canvas bags, according to a PCSO report. â ˘ A Russellville man, 47, told Deputy Billy Gatlin that another man pulled a knife on him and allegedly threatened to kill him. According to a report, the alleged suspect from Russellville, 64, we...

Program giving local girls days of their lives backDays For Girls, a program that first started in 2008 by founder and CEO Celeste Mergens, according to its website, has become one of the service projects at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Russellville. Mary Lou Ashley explained the program is for girls internationally who miss or lose days of school and of their lives because they are ostracized during their menstrual cycle. She further explained the girls and women in some co...

Purple Path of Hope set for late AprilJoin the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Pope, Yell and Conway Counties and participate in the "Purple Path Of Hope. The event will begin on April 23 and lead up to the area's first ever Carnival For A Cure. Businesses, community organizations and individuals are being asked to show support for Relay For Life and help raise awareness for the fight against cancer by decking out the town in purple. "We want everyone to see purple and...

Atkins students win Regional Quiz BowlAtkins Middle School fifth- and sixth-grade quiz bowl students won the 3A-4A conference regional quiz bowl tournament at Dover on Feb. 10. The team advanced to the finals at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) in Morrilton to compete against the top two teams from each conference. Students on the AMS quiz bowl team are (rom left): Front -- Andrew Tybuec, Kennady Hern, Isabella DeLeuil and Adrian Henderson; back --...

Murder suspect's trial continuedCONWAY -- A man who was arrested last year and charged with capital murder of a Russellville native had his Faulkner County Circuit Court hearing continued to May 23. Circuit Judge Charles "Ed" Clawson Jr. granted a request to reschedule a hearing for Ray Gardner, 56, who is currently being held without bond in the Arkansas Department of Correction on a parole violation. He was scheduled to appear in court March 21. Gardner was charged with ca...

Rogers retires from two 30-plus year careersThings are changing for Ron Rogers. The Russellville Junior High School teacher will retire at the end of the school year after 35 years of teaching. He clocked in for the last time at his second job at Kroger in March after 39 years. Rogers wore the same blue tie he wore on his first day on the job at Kroger. Rogers got married, will turn 57 soon and plans to move to Vilonia after the school year is up. It's exciting, but it's a little scary,...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSONsimpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Marina Way special election scheduled for May 9One week after a special judge indicated there would be no May 9 special election relating to rezoning property on Marina Way, he ruled Friday morning in Pope County Circuit Court that the election will go on as scheduled. Jason Browning of Little Rock, who represented the group Citizens Protecting our Neighborhoods, said Friday even though Special Judge Russell Rogers emailed representatives for the plaintiffs and the defendants March 22 that...